The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-12-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1887
Speaker Carlisle has big job on his
hands. There is great deal more
trouble than appears on the surface.
How to arrange the Committees is al
ways perplexing question, but in
the organization of this Congress
there seems to be more confusion
than usual. The truth is there has
been good deal of trading going OH,
and to deliver all things, according
to the agreement, is quite difficult
task, AS sample of several cases I
mention this one: The President
wants Scott, of Pennsylvania, as
Chairman of the Committee of Ways
and Means. Carlisle don't like him,
and promised the place to Mills, of
Texas, and Mills is an arrogant sort
of fellow, and don't want to yield
any prestage. 1t is one of the most
important Committees of the House,
and the Chairman, by virtue of long
usage, becomes member of the
Committee on Rules, and hence an
additional importance is attached to
that position. Mr.. Mills says open
ly that the place was promised him,
and that he is going to have it or
there will be some lively music. Per-
ry Belmont. of New York, is booked
for the craftsmanship of Foreign Re-
lations, but Tim Campbell and other
New York members are strongly op-
posing him. And so in numerous
other instances, and that is why say
the Speaker has big job on his
hands. Mr.. Randall says "the two
wings of the Democratic party flap
together" but they don't have that
appearance just at this time.
1t is expected that the Senate will.
act on the Presidents nominations
on Wednesday, and that all will be
confirmed. Friends of Mr.. Lamar
and Gen. Villas seem very confident.
The National Republican Commit
tee had a glorious session, and every
thing betoked harmony and success
for next year. Chicago, as usual,
was lucky in getting the Convention.
The next question is to nominate a
ticket that will win. That is of more
importance than anything else, and
the feeling is universal here among
Republicans that victory is sure, and
l think the wiser heads of the Dem
ocratic party so regard it.
The Senate have completed their
Committee list, and every man seems
satisfied with the position assigned
him. The best of feeling exists
among Republicans in both wings of
the Capitol, and the disposition to
preserve the present harmony is very
observable.
There are several Members who do
not draw their salaries until the
close of the session. The majority,
however, draw their pay monthly. 1
know of few who check out their
pay every day regularly, and are
then always hard pushed for money.
Taken as an average, including SAL
airy, milage, and stationary allow
ance, which is often drawn in mon
ey, Congressman gets sixteen dol
lars per day. That is large for some
members, but there are several Con-
gressmen whose private income is
from $500 to $1,000 a day, and with
them, salary is of the least consider
alton.
A greater contrast is not possible
than that between Senators Evarts,
of New York, and Beck, of Ken
lucky. Beck is ScOtchman by
birth. and sixty.six years old ; Ev-
arts was born in Boston, and is seven
ty. The Kentucky Senator is big
and hurley, with very small nose.
Senator Eyarts is little and delicate
with monstrOus big nose. Mr.. Beck
is bluff, and his sentences fall like
chips under the axe; Mr.. Eyarts is
is suave and diplomatic, and revels
in Latin and Greek derivations. No
two men were ever more antipathet-
ic. The poles are no further apart
than these two Senators, and yet
both are great leaders and have large
following in their respective parties.
Nearly two thousand members of
N innl
body at the White House to pay
their respects to the President. 1t
was an imposing scene, and being
earnest religious men, of course were
principally Republicans, and the yis-
it had no political bearing, but only
a desire to properly recognize the
dignity of the Presidential office.